U.S. patent application number 12/404303 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for content server systems and methods.
Invention is credited to Michael L. Gough, Paul L. Hickman.
Application Number | 20090290850 12/404303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39184379 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090290850 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hickman; Paul L. ; et
al. |
November 26, 2009 |
Content Server Systems and Methods
Abstract
In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, a content server system includes a remote content
server including content license information; and a local content
player coupled to the remote content server by a network, the local
content player requiring verification of a license by a user of the
local content player as administered by the remote content server.
In an alternate embodiment the network includes a local area
network. In another alternate embodiment, the network includes the
Internet.
Inventors: |
Hickman; Paul L.; (Los Altos
Hills, CA) ; Gough; Michael L.; (Saratoga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TIPS GROUP;c/o Intellevate LLC
P. O. BOX 52050
Minneapolis
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
39184379 |
Appl. No.: |
12/404303 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US07/20008 |
Sep 14, 2007 |
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12404303 |
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60844747 |
Sep 14, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/252 ;
386/E5.001; 725/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 21/10 20130101;
G06F 2221/0797 20130101; G06F 2221/0737 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/94 ; 725/114;
386/126; 386/E05.001 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/91 20060101
H04N005/91; H04N 7/173 20060101 H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A content server system comprising: a remote content server
including content license information; and a local content player
coupled to said remote content server by a network, said local
content player requiring verification of a license by a user of
said local content player as administered by said remote content
server.
2. A content server system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
network includes a local area network.
3. A content server system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
network includes the Internet.
4. A content player comprising: a player configured to read a
digital memory which at least temporarily contains content, said
digital player being provided with a dongle means providing digital
rights management, said digital player being operative to develop
at least one of audio and visual output should said digital rights
management permit a playback of said content, said digital player
having an output device for rendering said at least one of audio
and visual output in a user-perceptible form.
5. (canceled)
6. A video content server comprising: a processor; storage coupled
to said processor having digital rights management data including
license information with respect to a requestor of video content;
and a process running on said processor for associating a watermark
with said video content in accordance with said license prior to
the delivery of said video content to said requester.
7-14. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International Patent
Application No. PCT/U.S.07/020008, filed on Sep. 14, 2007, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/844,747, filed on Sep. 14, 2006, both of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] DVDs are a popular form of storage for relatively large
quantities of data. One of the more popular uses for the DVD format
is the recording of movies for the consumer market. While DVDs have
a great number of advantages, they suffer from damage such as
scratches on their surfaces. Since DVDs are optical storage, these
scratches can make the movies stored on the DVDs partially or
wholly unwatchable. Likewise, if other forms of data are stored on
the DVDs, the data can be wholly or partially corrupted.
[0003] Many people have large collections of DVDs. These DVDs tend
to become disorganized, damaged, and lost over time. Furthermore,
the DVDs, while relatively compact in size, are bulky in larger
numbers and, as such, are cumbersome to store or transport.
[0004] DVDs are only one popular form of removable mass storage.
Other forms include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMS, CDs, the new
high-definition formats for digital video, removable magnetic
storage, removable semiconductor storage, etc. As used herein, the
term "removable storage" will refer, by example, to these and other
equivalent forms of storage.
[0005] The protection of digital content is also an area of growing
concern. Content owners are concerned with the proper use of their
copyrighted materials. The ability to track and/or enforce proper
usage of copyrighted materials is therefore important.
[0006] Also, the ability to deliver content efficiently is becoming
ever more important, particularly in view of the increasing
mobility of the population. This not only includes the delivery of
content without the requirement for physical media (e.g. by
transmission over the Internet) but also efficient "players" for
reproducing the content by the user.
SUMMARY
[0007] Many exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein to address
the above-mentioned and other problems. The following embodiments
are presented by way of example and not limitation.
[0008] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, a content server system includes a remote content
server including content license information; and a local content
player coupled to the remote content server by a network, the local
content player requiring verification of a license by a user of the
local content player as administered by the remote content server.
In an alternate embodiment the network includes a local area
network. In another alternate embodiment, the network includes the
Internet.
[0009] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, a content player includes a player configured to read a
digital memory which at least temporarily contains content, the
digital player being provided with a dongle means providing digital
rights management, the digital player being operative to develop at
least one of audio and visual output should the digital rights
management permit a playback of the content, the digital player
having an output device for rendering the at least one of audio and
visual output in a user-perceptible form.
[0010] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, a dongle includes a processor; memory storing digital
content including at least one of audio and video content for which
a user has a license; and an interface for transferring the digital
content from the dongle in accordance with the license.
[0011] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, a video content server includes: a processor; a storage
coupled to the processor having digital rights management data
including license information with respect to a requester of video
content; and a process running on the processor for associating a
watermark with the video content in accordance with the license
prior to the delivery of the video content to the requester. In an
embodiment the network includes a local area network. In an
alternate embodiment, the network includes the Internet.
[0012] In an embodiment, set forth, by way of example and not
limitation, a method for providing a content server includes:
receiving over a network content derived from an optical storage
medium; associating the content with a license; and permitting
access to the content over the network in accordance with the
license.
[0013] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, method for providing a content server includes:
receiving over the Internet at a license server a request for
content from a requester; determining whether the request is in
accordance with a license associated with the requester; and
delivering the content to the requestor if the request is in
accordance with the license.
[0014] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, a method for playing content from an optical media
includes: playing content from an optical media; detecting if there
is a problem with playing the content; and contacting a server for
supplemental content to remedy the problem should a problem be
detected. In an embodiment, the server is contacted over the
Internet.
[0015] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, wireless content earphones includes a processor means;
a wireless transceiver means coupled to said processor means and
operative to communicate bi-directionally with a content source;
and at least one earphone coupled to the processor means.
[0016] In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not
limitation, a wireless content player includes a processor; digital
memory coupled to the processor; a receiver coupled to the
processor and capable of at least temporarily storing received
content in the digital memory; an output driver coupled to the
processor to provide video signals; and at least one video display
coupled to the output driver.
[0017] These and other embodiments will be apparent to those of
skill in the art upon a study of the specification and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment
comprising a DVD player and server system;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment
including a network connection;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment with
multiple servers;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary archive
mode process embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative
exemplary archive mode process embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary user mode
process embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative
exemplary user mode process embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary wireless headset or earphone
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 8A is a block diagram of exemplary circuitry for the
wireless earphone embodiment of FIG. 8;
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary wireless DVD player
embodiment; and
[0028] FIG. 9A is a block diagram of exemplary circuitry for the
wireless DVD player embodiment of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a DVD player
and server system, provided by way of example, not limitation. In
FIG. 1, a system 10 includes a player 12 and a server 14. The
player 12 and the server 14 are coupled together by a
communications link 16. In this embodiment the player 12 includes
an opening 18 for a DVD 20 and an opening 22 for a dongle 24. A
display 26 can display, for example, the video output 28 of the
player 12.
[0030] The player 12 can be a dedicated DVD player with additional
functionality to accommodate the apparatus and methods disclosed
herein. Alternatively, the player can simply be a computer system,
e.g. a laptop computer system. Still further, the player can be a
conventional DVD player, with additional apparatus attached, as
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It will be
appreciated that the foregoing are non-limiting examples and not an
exhaustive listing of all permutations, alterations, and
equivalents.
[0031] The server 14 typically comprises a computer system. A
server typically digitally communicates with a number of other
systems, although sometimes it can be associated with a single
other system, such as a DVD player, television, computer, etc. As
such, the server 14 typically includes a microprocessor, RAM
memory, mass storage such as semiconductor, magnetic, and/or
optical mass storage, and various communication ports (e.g.
parallel, serial, network, etc.) In an exemplary embodiment of one
aspect of the invention a redundancy system would be introduced to
protect the data from corruption due to media failure. Redundancy
systems are well known and include RAID arrays and error correction
coding schemes such as those disclosed in The Art of Error
Correcting Coding by Robert H. Morelos-Zaragoza. ISBN:
0-471-49581-6, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0032] In a further exemplary embodiment, the storage system can
replicate its data periodically with one or more other storage
systems over a communications link, using a synchronization
protocol, such as "rsync." Such data replication/synchronization
makes it possible to recover from the failure, theft or destruction
of the server 14 without data loss.
[0033] The communications link 16 can be, by way of non-limiting
examples in various alternate embodiments, a serial bus, a parallel
bus, a wireless connection (IR, RF, etc.), a local area network
(LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, etc. While
it is generally desirable to make the communications link
bi-direction and as fast as possible, other configurations are also
possible in alternate embodiments.
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, there is an opening
18 for a DVD disc 20. In this exemplary embodiment, a DVD drive
mechanism is located within the DVD player to play and otherwise
interact with the DVD disk 20. In other embodiments, other
configurations are employed. In further embodiments, other
removable storage media than DVD discs are employed. In still
further embodiments, no removable storage media are employed.
[0035] In this exemplary embodiment, an opening 22 is provided for
dongle 24. In other embodiments, the opening 22 is omitted (e.g.
for a wireless dongle, or for a dongle that attaches to a port). In
still other embodiments alternatives, such as a keypad or biometric
sensor are provided. In still other embodiments, the dongle and its
equivalents structures are omitted entirely.
[0036] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a
"dongle" is a piece of hardware used for security purposes.
Typically, a dongle will include an encryption code or algorithm,
and may include computational power. Currently, dongles are often
connected into a USB port, but other connection mechanisms are also
common. Dongles can also include a substantial amount of memory,
e.g. flash memory. Power may or may not be provided internally to
the dongle, depending upon the type of dongle. For example, USB
dongles can be powered by the USB bus and, therefore, power is not
a requirement in certain embodiments.
[0037] An important aspect of a dongle to identify an authorized
user. This identification function can be handled in alternative
fashions to dongles, e.g. biometric sensors (such as a fingerprint
reader), password codes, etc. As used herein, the term "dongle" in
certain embodiments can include apparatus and methods which
accomplish the desired result of authorized user verification.
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the dongle includes a key for
encryption/decryption. Both asymmetric and symmetric encryption
schemes may be used. In the case of asymmetric encryption, the key
contained on the dongle would contain at least one of the private
key or the public key. The public key is used to encrypt, and the
private key is used to decrypt.
[0039] An exemplary embodiment associates the private key, the
public key, and the encrypted data so that the required keys can be
retrieved using a lookup mechanism when they are needed. If the
required key is not available, then an error message is provided so
that the user knows that he does not have the proper key. Since the
keys are often embodied in the form of cryptic binary data, an
exemplary embodiment provides the functionality for naming the
keys. A further exemplary embodiment provides the name of the
required key when displaying the aforementioned error message. An
exemplary embodiment provides for a key registry which associates
cryptographic keys with the identity of authorized users.
[0040] A further exemplary embodiment provides for "watermarking"
of content information which could be used for example to protect
the rights of copyright holders, as well as other uses. Such
watermarks contain information that identifies the user or the
machine used to encode or store the content information. The
watermarks endure repeated decoding and re-encoding in a cumulative
manner, so that an audit trail is generated that details the
history of the content information.
[0041] In a further exemplary embodiment, the watermarks are
associated with information identifying one or more authorized
users. Additional information stored in watermarks, such as
information identifying the time and place of encoding, is also
optionally provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a tamper resistant
apparatus provides time (derived for example from an internal
clock), location (derived for example from GPS), and user
identification information (derived for example from an internal
serial number, or biometrics) for watermark information or other
purposes. In a further exemplary embodiment, watermarking is used
for data of arbitrary kinds, such as scanned documents, word
processing documents, spreadsheets, music, photographs, telemetry,
streaming video, source code, and numerous other data types.
[0042] In certain exemplary embodiments, watermarking for some
kinds of content is based on watermark information that is added
externally to the content data, because the content information is
sensitive to the minor changes of watermarking. In cases such as
this, a "digital envelope" can be used to contain the information
and the associated watermark information. One envelope can contain
other envelopes in a hierarchical manner, thus providing for the
aforementioned audit trail. Both encrypted and non-encrypted
digital envelopes are used in alternate embodiments. When
encrypting envelopes, both symmetric and asymmetric encryption
schemes are used in alternate embodiments.
[0043] In a still further exemplary embodiment, the data is not
stored, but is simply "passed through" the apparatus in a streaming
manner, with the watermark information being added in a cumulative
manner to any that had been previously added.
[0044] Many types of dongles exist. A common type of dongle
includes a USB connector to plug into a USB port. Therefore, the
opening 18 of the DVD player 12 can be an USB port. Other types of
ports and connectors can also be used. Alternatively, the opening
18 can be replaced with other interconnect mechanisms, such an
optical (e.g. IR port), an RF port, a sonic port, etc. The dongle
will typically at least include non-volatile memory capable of
storing data or algorithms which identify the possessor of the
dongle as an authorized user. In this way, the dongle acts as a
"key" to unlock certain permitted functionalities of the system.
This "key" is preferably transportable and can be loaned to
others.
[0045] A dongle can also serve as a storage system. If sufficient
memory is provided (e.g. by a large flash memory, a miniature disc
drive, etc.) all or part of, for example, a movie or a music album
can be stored in the dongle. In this way the content is
transportable with the dongle. In an exemplary embodiment, storing
of the content in the dongle prevents downloads from the server to
prevent multiple copies from being played. In another exemplary
embodiment, the storing of content in the dongle also causes the
player to block any playing of that content.
[0046] The display 26 can be any number of types of displays, such
as television CRTs, plasma displays, led displays, computer
monitors, etc. The type of display 26 will determine the type of
video out 26 from the player 12. Just several of many examples of
video out include NTSC, High Definition, RGB, S-Video, high speed
video busses, etc. Furthermore, if the player 12 is an integrated
unit such as a laptop computer, the video out 28 may simply be the
system video output bus.
[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary and non-limiting system 10'
including a network 16' which corresponds to one embodiment of the
communication linkage 16 of FIG. 1. The network 16' can be a local
area network (LAN), such as an NT.RTM. network from Microsoft
Corporation, a Novell.RTM. network from Novell Corporation, an
Intranet using TCP/IP data packet protocols, any other form of LAN,
etc. Alternatively, the network 16' can be a wide area network
(WAN) such as the Internet using TCP/IP data packet protocols,
etc.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system 10'' including a
player 30, a local server 32, a WAN 34, a remote server 36, and
optional content provider server(s) 38. With this additional
non-limiting example, a local server 32 provides high-bandwidth
access to content stored on the server. This server may be, for
example, located in a user's home and coupled to, or forms a part
of, the DVD player 30. The local server 32 is then coupled to the
remote server 36 via WAN 34. This permits off-site archiving of the
media or metadata of the user's DVDs. It further facilitates
accessing of the DVD information via the WAN 34, e.g. for example
when the user is taking a trip. Of course, the local server 32 can
also be accessed, but in certain embodiments it is considered
desirable to use the local server 32 more as a local "cache" or as
a supplement than as the primary server. In other embodiments, the
local server is the primary or even sole server.
[0049] The optional content provider server(s) can be under the
control of the content owners, either directly or by license.
Therefore, a user can buy the rights to a particular DVD (or music
CD, or other digital data or recordings) directly or indirectly
from the content providers, and can access that information via WAN
34 (e.g. the Internet). If a license is purchased and associated
with a particular dongle, the user may not even need to have a
physical DVD (or CD, etc.) disk, but can download content (e.g. as
a file, in a streaming format, etc.) directly from the remote
server 36, content provider servers 38, etc.
[0050] An aspect of embodiments of the invention is the possibility
of eliminating the need for users to purchase physical copies of
media content, such as DVDs, CDs, etc. In such embodiments,
licenses are purchased, directly or indirectly, from content
providers and associated with the purchaser. This association can
be by a dongle, another form of "key" (such as passwords,
biometrics, etc.), and other methodologies for authorized user
identification. The content can then be accessed electronically,
e.g. from a home or web based server, subject to the restriction
(if any) of the licensor.
[0051] In FIG. 4, an embodiment for an "archive mode" process 40 is
presented by way of non-limiting example. The process 40 may begin
at 42 and, in an act 44, a server connection is established. This
is often over the Internet, but it may also be to a local server,
or otherwise. In an act 46, the server verifies the dongle. By
"verify" it is meant that secure information is derived from the
dongle to identify an authorized user. Next, in an act 48, the
content of the DVD may be uploaded to the server, which associates
this content with the dongle code. In this fashion, downloads will
be restricted to authorized (e.g. licensed) users, and unauthorized
distribution or access will be detectable. Next, in an optional act
50, metadata such as the title, actors, and other information can
be added to the user's collection. In this way, a menu of movies,
songs, music, data, etc. can be presented to the user. By way of
non-limiting example, this menu or catalog or collection can be
downloaded to the player 12 and displayed and manipulated on the
display 26. The process 40 may then be completed at 52.
[0052] In FIG. 5, another non-limiting example for an "archive
mode" process 40' begins at 42', and a server connection is made at
44'. As before, a dongle verification may occur at 46'. Next, in an
act 54, the dongle "code" (e.g. identifying information, often but
not always encrypted) is associated with the content from a content
provider. For example, a user may buy a license directly or
indirectly from the content provider, and then associate that
license with the dongle code on the server. From then on, the
dongle can be used to access that content via the WAN, in this
non-limiting example. The metadata may be optionally added in act
50', and the process 40' may be completed at 52'.
[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates by way of non-limiting example a "user
mode" process 56 when the user has access to a player. The process
56 begins at 58 and, in an act 60, it is determined if a disc is
inserted into the player. (Of course, other modes not triggered by
the insertion of a disc are alternative embodiments.) If not, an
act 62 determines if the user wishes to view his user collection
list. If not, process control is returned to act 60, or the process
may be terminated. If the user does want to access his user
collection list, in an act 64 the user processes or views the user
collection list. The user collection list can be, of course, stored
anywhere on the system including the player, a local server, a
remote server, etc. Process control is then returned to act 60, or
terminated.
[0054] In an act 66, the mode of the player is determined. If it is
in a "Normal Play" mode, a DVD can be played in its normal fashion
in an operation 68. However, if the user has previously archived
the DVD, error correction is also possible. That is, if there is an
error in the DVD play due, for example, to a scratch on the DVD
disk, this can be detected by act 70. At the point of the scratch,
the player can play the damaged portion from the server, thereby
providing a patch for the bad portion of the DVD disk.
Alternatively or additionally, additional content can be added to
the play of the DVD disc at this point. For example, extra or
alternative scenes can be provided, high definition data can be
added, etc. as part of the "play from server" act 72. If act 70
determines that the play of the DVD is complete, process control
may be returned to act 60 or, for example, terminated.
[0055] If mode 66 detects a "remote play" request, where the user
is not physically present near his "home" player, it looks for the
dongle that the user preferably takes with him. The dongle can
provide a code for one or more content files, records, etc. (e.g.
DVD archival copies). If the server verifies the dongle is valid in
act 74, it begins to play from the server in an act 76. This play
can be accomplished in various fashions, including downloading the
file, streaming the video and/or audio file, etc. The remote play
can be facilitated with an application program or utility on the
remote system (e.g. computer), or the play can be facilitated
through web-based protocols, such as a web browser and media
player. When the playing is completed as detected by act 78,
process control can be returned to operation 60, terminated, etc.
Also, if act 66 detects that the user wished to archive a DVD, a
process including, but not limited to, processes 40 and 40' can be
implemented.
[0056] By way of a still further non-limiting example, in FIG. 7 a
second example for a "user mode" process 80 is illustrated. In this
example, the user is remote from his home system. The process 80
begins at 82 and, in an act 84, a connection is established to a
server. An act 86 verifies the dongle, and an act 88 plays from the
server as described previously. An act 90 determines if the play is
done and, if so, the process 80 terminates at 92.
[0057] By way of a more concrete example, provided solely for
illustration and not limitation, assume that the user is traveling
and has his portable computer and his dongle. He can then connect
to a narrow or broadband Internet connection, by way of
non-limiting example, and access the server. The user may have
specialized software on his system for this purpose, or may access
the server through, by way of non-limiting example, a web browser.
The server can then download (e.g. as a file) or stream a desired
movie file to the user. There are many formats and ways for
downloading or streaming data files, including MPEG, JAR files,
etc. that are well known to those skilled in the art. Since the
user has the dongle, downloading is no longer available at the home
player in this exemplary embodiment, unless multiple dongles are
provided.
[0058] In FIG. 8, a wireless headset 94, provided by way of a
non-limiting example, can access the server via a wireless
protocol. For example, the popular WiFi protocol can be used, as
well as shorter range protocols such as BlueTooth and longer range
protocols. Controls and wireless circuitry and mechanisms can be
provided on the ear cups 96 or elsewhere. For example, the headset
94 can communicate with an iPod.RTM. of Apple Computer or other
device by, for example, BlueTooth, to provide controls. As another
non-limiting example, the headset 94 can be voice command
controlled with the addition of a microphone. In this way, music,
such as music CDs or MP3 files can be downloaded, streamed, etc. to
the headset 94 via a wireless connection 98. A dongle may or may
not be used with this system.
[0059] FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of the wireless headset 94 of FIG. 8. In this example,
headset 94 includes electronic logic 104; at least one of RF
communications apparatus 106 coupled to electronic logic 104, IR
communications apparatus 108 coupled to electronic logic 104, and
other communications apparatus 110 coupled to electronic logic 104;
one or more electro-acoustic transducers 112 coupled to electronic
logic 104; and power source 114 coupled to electronic logic 104
which supplies power to the various components via the electronic
logic 104.
[0060] It is contemplated that analog or digital signals may be
received and processed in various exemplary embodiments. In the
case of digital signals, the data may be received in binary form,
and may further be quantized into packets which are received by one
or more of the various communications apparatus and decoded, and
converted into a form suitable to be propagated to the
electro-acoustic transducers 112. It should be noted that the
communications mentioned herein may require encryption and
decryption in certain embodiments. Other embodiments receive and
process an analog signal into a form suitable for propagation to
the electro-acoustic transducers.
[0061] In certain embodiments, a feature is provided which allows
two-way communication between the wireless headset and the device
or devices with which it communicates, which may include content
players, personal computers, security devices such as dongles, etc.
The signals that pass to and from wireless headset 94 via the
various communication subsystems may include participation in
various communications protocols which require two-way
communication. Query, authentication, control signals, query
responses may be present in certain embodiments as well. The
headset may comprise input devices such as buttons or a microphone
etc. which are coupled to electronic logic 104 which may be used to
allow user interaction. Additional devices which may be interfaced
to wireless headset 94 include dongles which may be used to answer
authentication challenges, provide crypto keys, interpret
watermarks, etc.
[0062] In FIG. 9 a wireless content player 100 has a screen 102.
The player 100 communicates with a wireless protocol as set forth
above. Again, the player could be a full fledged portable computer
but, in this non-limiting example, it is a more limited
computational device designed primarily for the viewing of movies
and other audiovisual content. Again, a dongle may or may not be
used with this system, or any of the previous exemplary systems
disclosed or implied herein.
[0063] FIG. 9a is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of a wireless content player 100 including a processor
116 which is coupled to bus 118; volatile memory 120 which is
coupled to bus 118; non-volatile storage 122 which is coupled to
bus 118; optional input device(s) 124 which may be coupled to bus
118; optional display(s) 126 which may be coupled to bus 118; at
least one of RF communications apparatus 128, IR communications
apparatus 130, and other communications apparatus 132 which may be
present in various combinations and coupled to bus 118; and power
source 134 coupled to bus 118 which provides power to the various
components and subsystems via bus 118. Query and control signals
may be received via input device(s) 124 or via the various
communications subsystems 128, 130 and 132. Metadata regarding
content and query responses may be displayed on display(s) 126 or
forwarded via communications subsystems 128, 130 and 132 to
external devices such as wireless headset 94 or other devices such
as dongles, etc.
[0064] In an alternative embodiment, the "players", e.g. the DVD,
CD, computer, etc. players of content, help to enforce the terms of
the content licensors. By way of non-limiting example, the DVD
player 12 can communicate with a server 14 (and additionally or
alternatively with other players) to ensure that only one version
of a DVD movie is being played at one time. For example, the server
may detect that a DVD movie is being streamed to a computer for
viewing and, therefore, not allow streaming elsewhere or for the
user to play his own DVD until the remote streaming is completed by
communicating with the player. This kind of functionality would
provide comfort to content licensors in that only one version of
licensed content could be used at a time, not two (i.e. the
original DVD and its archived version).
[0065] With this alternative embodiment, authorized sharing of
content is facilitated. No dongle would be required by the person
to whom the content is loaned, although they can be provided for
additional security. By way of non-limiting example, a loaner (i.e.
the person with the license) could provide a loanee (e.g. a friend)
with an access code for a particular movie, song, etc. or group of
movies, songs, etc. ("loaned content"). The loanee would then
access the loaned content from the, and the loaner would be denied
access to that content by the server. That is, the loaner would not
have access to that content from the server and, in certain
embodiments, would also be blocked from playing the loaned content
from players forming a part of the system, until he removed the
"loan" from the server system. This system has distinct advantages
over, for example, physically loaning a DVD to a friend, which may
become lost, damaged, or which may never be returned.
[0066] Note that in certain embodiments, various devices such as
wireless headset 94 or wireless content player 100 may interface
directly with a security device such as a dongle, and the dongle
may provide responses to security challenges. Further, the dongle
may be operative to authenticate content based upon a signal
developed by a watermark present in the content. The watermarks as
disclosed herein are comprised of minor alterations in the original
content signals which may be used to personalize a content signal
to a specific user, or device such that said content cannot be used
by others. Watermarks may be embedded in a video stream, an audio
stream, or in a system portion of a content signal.
[0067] While various exemplary embodiments have been described,
those skilled in the art will realized that there are may
alterations, modifications, permutations, additions, combinations,
and equivalents as which fall within the broad concept's true
spirit and scope. By way of non limiting examples, dongles and
other user authorizing systems may be omitted in certain
alternative embodiments. In some alternative embodiments encryption
may be used, and in other it may be omitted. While optical storage
devices have been the subject of most of the exemplary embodiments,
other storage media is used in certain alternative embodiments.
Servers may be omitted in certain embodiments, or their
functionality, in part or in whole, may be distributed or combined
with other apparatus, such as the player. It is therefore intended
that the preceding descriptions not be read by way of limitation
but, rather, as examples with the broader scope of the concepts
disclosed herein.
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